Eponine peaked over the carriage windowsill as they approached the palace, Gavroche bouncing beside her. Their eyes widened at the sight, and Eponine imagined that one room was probably bigger than her family's whole shack.
Once inside, Marius snuck Eponine up to Cosette's room. After leaving Gavroche with Musichetta, the maid who he trusted the most, he returned to the bedroom to find Eponine looking at a portrait of the princess.
"The resemblance is remarkable," he said. "Yeah, except for the hair." Eponine sighed, running her fingers over her dark locks.
"I thought of that. Here," He held out a large box, opening the lid to show her the contents. "Blond in a box,"
Eponine hesitantly reached in and picked the wig up, moving over to a large mirror to put it on. She arranged it as best she could before turning back to Marius for approval.
"Wow. This just might work," he smiled.
"Um, Marius? You're forgetting one tiny thing," Eponine paused to blow a piece of stray blond hair off of her face. "I don't know the first thing about being a princess."
"Leave that to me. It's all here in the handbook of etiquette." Marius grabbed a nearby book and flipped through the pages, reading from it as he went.
"Now remember. No nagging, bragging, sweating, fretting, slipping, tripping, slurping, burping, twittering, or frittering allowed. Stay present, stay pleasant, stay proud," Marius told her. He closed the book and stood in front of her.
"To be a princess
Is to know which spoon to use
To be a princess
Is to own a thousand pairs of shoes
To maintain a regal gait
Leave the parsley on your plate
And be charming but detached
And yet amused
To be a princess
Is to never be confused,"
Eponine followed him as he moved around the room to demonstrate different actions, listening intently.
"Do a plié and never fall
Don't ever stray from protocol
All through the day
There's just one way
You must behave,"
"Do keep a grip and never crack!
Stiff upper lip and arch the back!
Bend from above
And always wear your gloves
And wave,"
He stood up tall, demonstrating the posture she was expected to have.
"Shoulders back and
Tummy in and
Pinky out and
Lift the chin and
Slowly turn the head from
Side to side" Marius acted out each action, turning his head slightly at the end.
"I see now," Eponine sang, mimicking him perfectly.
"Breathing gently
Stepping lightly
Smile brightly
Nod politely
Never show a thing you feel inside
Glide!"
Marius gently pushed her towards the closet full of hall gowns. She emerged wearing a blue gown with pink and gold trim, waving theatrically.
"To be a princess
Is to always look your best
To be a princess
Is to never get to rest!"
He picked up the gold crown on the dresser and placed it on her head.
"Sit for a portrait, never squirm!
Sleep on a mattress extra firm!
Speak and be clever
Never at a loss for words
Curtsey to every count and lord
Learn how to play the harpsichord!
Sing lullabies and always harmonize in thirds,"
"Thirds, thirds!" They sang together. Marius's gaze turned to the portrait on the wall.
"And, she has beautiful eyes
Your spirits rise
When she walks in the room,"
He walked towards it like he was in a trance.
"I see." Eponine smirked.
"Doors close
And the chemistry grows
She's like a rose
That's forever in bloom,"
Marius snapped out of it and turned back to Eponine sheepishly.
"Do a plié and don't" he started.
"Ever ever ever fall!" Eponine chimed in.
"Never show dismay," Marius offered her his arm, which she took gracefully.
"And be there when people call!" She said confidently.
"Be prepared whatever royal life will bring.
Do keep a grip and don't,"
"Ever, ever, ever crack!" She cut him off again, excited to show how fast she was learning.
"Take a dainty sip," Marius took her hand and pulled her into a simple dance step.
"Never ever turn your back!" Eponine twirled under his arm gracefully.
"There's a time and place and way for everything!" He released her hand and moved back to teach her the final lesson.
"To be a princess
Is to never make your bed
To be a princess
Is to always use your head!"
Just as he finished the lesson, Eponine lost her balance and fell to the floor, the wig and crown falling off her head.
She smiled bashfully, accepting his hand to stand back up.
——
"Well your majesty, as much as I hate to say it, the princess has yet to return. The wedding has to be-" Combeferre sighed before he was cut off by the door swinging open.
"Wait! May I present Princess Cosette!" Marius gestured to the door. Eponine walked in slowly with a fake smile, the wig and crown securely in place.
"Darling? You're back!" The queen rushed forwards and embraced her tightly. Eponine felt herself relax slightly, not being used to a mother's loving embrace.
"I'm sorry. I should not have run away," she said sheepishly.
"Promise to never do it again," Fantine pleaded, holding her hands.
"Well, a deal is a deal. Shall I send for King Enjolras? He can arrive tomorrow," Combeferre told them.
"Wonderful! And then only a few short days to the wedding!" The queen clapped excitedly.
"The wedding. I can't wait," Eponine forced a smile on her face.
"Your majesty, if you'll excuse me. I have some, uh, wedding preparations to organise." Javert said, moving towards the door. Marius watched him leave, noticing a strange leaf that had fallen off of his shoe. He picked it up, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"A fir tree leaf? What is he doing in the Southern Forest?" Marius was just about to follow him when the queen called out.
"Marius! I want to hear all about how you found my daughter,"
He glanced at Javert's retreating figure then turned back to her.
"Of course, your majesty."
YOU ARE READING
The Princess & the Pauper (Les Mis)
FanfictionCosette and Eponine come from very different worlds, but when fate brings them together, they discover they have more in common then they thought. When Princess Cosette is captured, Marius brings Eponine in to take her place while he tries to find...
